University of Richmond Magazine
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The Department of Theatre & Dance provides a unique liberal arts experience where students thrive by engaging across difference and critically investigating the world through creative processes.
As artist-scholars from very different disciplines, we engage with students in solving complex problems through high-impact learning experiences that develop critical thinking, an appreciation for complexity and context, and the ability to communicate clearly in a variety of languages (verbal, visual, aural, spatial, behavioral, kinesthetic). While many of our students go on to pursue a life in the performing arts, our fundamental mission is for all our students to develop as well-rounded individuals with a broad spectrum of knowledge and skills to think and act creatively in an ever-changing and increasingly challenging local and global reality.
Auditions for "Silent Sky"
Silent Sky is a poignant and inspiring play that tells the true story of Henrietta Leavitt, a pioneering astronomer in the early 20th century. Working at the Harvard Observatory, Leavitt defied societal expectations and gender norms to uncover groundbreaking discoveries about the nature of the universe. As she battles personal challenges, including a struggle for recognition in a male-dominated field, Silent Sky explores themes of ambition, resilience, and the search for meaning in the vast cosmos.
What to prepare: Actors may perform a prepared comedic monologue or read provided selections from the play
Auditions: August 27, 5-9 p.m.
Callbacks: August 29, 6-9 p.m.
Students can earn academic credit for participating in productions!
Contact director Dr. Jennifer Jones Cavenaugh with questions: jcavenau@richmond.edu
Auditions for "The Meeting"
In a seventh-floor room in the Teresa Hotel in Harlem, Malcolm X, whose house in Chicago has just been bombed, debates with his bodyguard (Rashad) whether Martin Luther King Jr will honor his invitation and show up. Malcolm views King’s stance on non-violent protests as a signal for White people to harm Blacks. King comes, but not to debate. His mission is far more humane and benevolent. One that Malcolm is surprised and humbled by. The Meeting is a gripping play of ideas, laced with compassion, emotional verve and patches of stark humor. It is a brilliant testimony and tribute to two giants of American civil rights history... and so relevant that it is hard to believe it was not written this year.
Thursday, Aug. 28, 4:30-7:30 p.m., Cousins Studio TheatreSunday, Aug. 31, 12-4 p.m., Modlin Center Acting Studio
- The show runs November 20-23, and we’d love for you to join us!
- No preparation needed!
- Several actors of all persuasions are needed for the mass protest scene. Very low time commitment: 4 rehearsals, 5 performances. Singing (not perfect or really well) is an asset.
- Actor required for a role written for a Black character. This role requires a higher time commitment.
- Students can earn academic credit for participating! And if acting isn’t your thing, we also need backstage crew and board operators!
To book an audition slot, contact Kristian Baisac at kristianangelhallie.baisac@richmond.edu. While walk-ins are welcome, booking a time is advantageous.
Contact director Dr. Chuck Mike with questions: cmike@richmond.edu.
Department Mission Statement
The Department of Theatre & Dance is committed to diversity, inclusion, equity, and social justice. These values are central to the department’s curriculum, scholarship, teaching, art-making practices, and programming. Each student will engage with these values through curricular, intellectual, artistic, and personal endeavors. We commit to finding strength in our diversity, cultivating multiple perspectives, eliminating barriers to participation in the field, and fostering social justice. We uphold these values in our classes, rehearsals, play selections, casting, and our collaborative artistic processes. We continuously build more inclusive and equitable theatre and dance by foregrounding marginalized peoples and histories in our planning and policy decisions. We value creative engagement at the crossroads of theatre, dance, and social justice, traditional and non-traditional theatre, and dance-making practices both on and offstage.
Accessibility to Art Fosters Community
The University of Richmond Department of Theatre & Dance believes in the power of theatre and dance to build community through art, and that access to the arts should not be limited in any way. In partnership with the School of Arts & Sciences, we have created the UR Free Theatre & Dance initiative in order to remove economic barriers and make theatre and dance accessible to everyone.
University Dancers
University Dancers/DANC 306 is an auditioned student dance company of the University of Richmond in the Department Theatre & Dance. Students receive academic credit for participating in University Dancers/DANC 306. Founded in 1985 by Myra Daleng, the company’s current artistic director is Anne Van Gelder.
Auditions are held at the beginning of the fall semester, and students study a variety of dance and movement techniques such as African, ballet, contemporary, hip-hop, jazz, modern, and non-traditional partnering in company classes (three per week), master classes, and rehearsals.
A member of UD (Danc 306) is not required to be a dance major or minor to be in the company.
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Faculty Highlights
Weldon awarded by Bonner Foundation
Emmy Weldon, assistant professor of theatre & dance, received the Bonnor Foundation Spirit of Ubuntu Award, given to individuals who embody the spirit of community engagement.
View Bio
Díaz explores creative practice as research that prompts new questions
Alicia Díaz, associate professor of dance, reflects on the MAPA dance project in “Excavando juntas en el paraíso,” in categoría cinco. The collaborative performance took place in the ruins of the Cine Paradise, a former movie theater in downtown Río Piedras, Puerto Rico.
View Bio
Van Gelder Promoted
Anne Norman Van Gelder was promoted to senior teaching faculty of theatre & dance. Her specialties include dance history, choreography, and ballet and pointe technique.
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Herrera Elected
Patricia Herrera, professor of theatre and dance, was elected president of the American Society for Theatre Research (ASTR) for a three-year term.
View BioResources
Contact Us
Mailing address:
Department of Theatre and Dance
Modlin Center for the Arts
453 Westhampton Way
University of Richmond, VA 23173
Phone: (804) 289-8592
Fax: (804) 287-1841
Box office: (804) 289-8980
Interim Department Chair: Dr. Olivier Delers
Administrative Coordinator: Rhonda Jackson